Medora, ND

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Downtown Medora, North Dakota
Downtown Medora, North Dakota - Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Today’s Forecast:

🌤
°F
Current Temperature
Station: K20U
Observed at: 5:15 am CDT
Wind: 6 mph | Humidity: %
⚠️
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued August 13 at 5:12AM CDT until August 13 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Bismarck ND (Expires: August 13, 2026 10:00 am)
Show Alert Details & Instructions
Description: * WHAT...Visibility under a quarter mile at times in dense fog. * WHERE...Southwest and south central North Dakota, west of the Missouri River. * WHEN...Until 10 AM CDT /9 AM MDT/ this morning. * IMPACTS...Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...This includes the I-94 corridor from Beach to Mandan and the Highway 85 corridor from Fairfield to Bowman. Instructions: If driving, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you.
Overnight:Mostly cloudy. Low around 54, with temperatures rising to around 56 overnight. East wind around 5 mph.
Thursday:A chance of rain showers between 8am and noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. High near 78, with temperatures falling to around 73 in the afternoon. East wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Thursday Night:A chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy. Low around 57, with temperatures rising to around 60 overnight. Southeast wind 12 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
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Today’s Report:

🥾 Hiking

Use Caution
  44 /100

Use Caution for hiking. High near 74°F. Risk of rain later today (42%). Light wind (16 mph). Thunderstorms forecast later today.

  • Temp: Favorable conditions
  • Rain: Marginal weather factor
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Marginal weather factor
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Not Recommended 15/100
Not Recommended for hiking. High near 69°F. High rain probability (62%). Light wind (14 mph). Thunderstorms forecast or possible.

🚲 Biking

Use Caution
  43 /100

Use Caution for biking. High near 74°F. Risk of rain later today (42%). Breezy winds (16 mph). Thunderstorms forecast later today.

  • Temp: Favorable conditions
  • Rain: Marginal weather factor
  • Wind: Marginal weather factor
  • Thunderstorm: Marginal weather factor
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Not Recommended 15/100
Not Recommended for biking. High near 69°F. High rain probability (62%). Light wind (14 mph). Thunderstorms forecast or possible.

⛳ Golf

Use Caution
  42 /100

Use Caution for golf. High near 74°F. Risk of rain later today (42%). Breezy winds (16 mph). Thunderstorms forecast later today.

  • Temp: Favorable conditions
  • Rain: Marginal weather factor
  • Wind: Marginal weather factor
  • Thunderstorm: Marginal weather factor
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Not Recommended 15/100
Not Recommended for golf. High near 69°F. High rain probability (62%). Light wind (14 mph). Thunderstorms forecast or possible.

🎪 Outdoor Events / Activities

Use Caution
  42 /100

Use Caution for outdoor events / activities. High near 74°F. Risk of rain later today (42%). Breezy winds (16 mph). Thunderstorms forecast later today.

  • Temp: Favorable conditions
  • Rain: Marginal weather factor
  • Wind: Marginal weather factor
  • Thunderstorm: Marginal weather factor
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Not Recommended 15/100
Not Recommended for outdoor events / activities. High near 69°F. High rain probability (62%). Light wind (14 mph). Thunderstorms forecast or possible.

About Medora

Medora works as a gateway to badlands trails, scenic drives, golf, and outdoor events. Conditions in town may be calmer than on nearby ridges or park roads.

Planning an Outing at Medora

Match the day to the most weather-sensitive reservation, tee time, trail, or event, then confirm park access and road conditions.

Weather Tips for Medora

  • Treat recent rain as an access forecast: clay and gumbo roads can remain slick after the storm ends.
  • Carry more water than expected and avoid exposed ridges or open prairie when lightning approaches.
  • Watch for severe thunderstorms, hail, smoke, and sudden wind shifts; keep a sheltered alternative available.
  • Use the latest notice for South Unit Visitor Center and the exact trailhead, ramp, campground, or facility you plan to use.

Nearby Towns and Areas

Use this forecast as practical context for outdoor plans near:

  • South Unit Visitor Center
  • Painted Canyon
  • Bully Pulpit Golf Course
  • Chateau de Mores
  • Sentinel Butte
  • Beach
  • Sully Creek State Park
  • Little Missouri River

Adjust the Day to the Forecast

Choose the route, launch, campsite, fishing window, tee time, or event plan with the widest margin for wind and storms.

7-Day Forecast for Medora

🌤
°F
Current Temperature
Station: K20U
Observed at: 5:15 am CDT
Wind: 6 mph | Humidity: %
Thu 🌧
78° 57°
42%
Fri ⛈
75° 52°
62%
Sat ⛅
75° 49°
2%
Sun ⛅
80° 53°
10%
Mon ⛅
86° 54°
10%
Tue ⛈
82° 52°
27%
Wed ⛈
79° --°
28%

7-Day High Temperature Trend

78° Thu 75° Fri 75° Sat 80° Sun 86° Mon 82° Tue 79° Wed

7-Day Low Temperature Trend

57° Thu 52° Fri 49° Sat 53° Sun 54° Mon 52° Tue 50° Wed

📊 7-Day Outdoor Outlook

Good Fair Poor 18 Thu 23 Fri 100 Sat 70 Sun 20 Mon 12 Tue 43 Wed
Forecast data from the National Weather Service  |  Last Updated: August 13, 2026 5:43 am CDT

Medora Weather by Season

Winter

Snow cover varies across open prairie and wooded terrain, while blowing snow can erase visibility quickly. Carry winter emergency supplies and confirm seasonal access. Check conditions near South Unit Visitor Center because local access can change first.

Spring

Spring warmth arrives unevenly, with ice, saturated trails, and floodwater lingering in shaded or low terrain. River and lake pages require current observations. Check conditions near Painted Canyon because local access can change first.

Summer

Warm afternoons can turn windy or stormy quickly across open terrain. Watch radar and keep drinking water, sun protection, and a shorter escape route. Check conditions near Bully Pulpit Golf Course because local access can change first.

Fall

Fall color and mild afternoons can coincide with morning ice, strong wind, and the first snow. Bright clothing and extra layers are practical. Check conditions near Chateau de Mores because local access can change first.

Key Climate Data Points

  • Annual average temperature: roughly 43–46°F across the western badlands, with colder readings in exposed uplands.
  • Annual snowfall: commonly 30–45 inches, although wind redistributes snow and creates deep drifts beside exposed roads.
  • Warmest months: July is usually warmest; exposed badlands and prairie heat faster than wooded or lakeshore settings.
  • Coolest months: January is generally coldest, with wind chill often more important than air temperature.
  • Wettest season: Late spring and early summer usually bring the most precipitation, including severe thunderstorms.
  • Driest season: Winter is often driest by liquid precipitation, although drifting snow can dominate access.
  • Best outdoor window: Late spring through early fall for warm-season activities; winter destinations require verified ice, snow, roads, and operations.